Tourism Ministry launches $4.25m. campaign to bring US tourists to IsraelIsrael’s Ministry of Tourism is to launch a $4.25 million marketing campaign in the US in an effort to strengthen incoming tourism from North America.Last week, senior representatives of the Tourism Ministry including director general, Shaul Tzemach, flew to the US to meet tourism industry and local media representatives, as well as leaders from the Christian community.Tourism to Israel has been affected by the global economic crisis and the recent conflict in Gaza. The US initiative is part of a global campaign by the Tourism Ministry to position Israel as a safe and attractive tourist destination.North America is the largest source of incoming tourism to Israel, with about 700,000 tourists visiting Israel in 2008, an increase of about 16 percent over 2007. About 50% of these tourists are Christian Evangelists.